Power clinches second IndyCar title despite Newgarden challenge

Will Power claimed the 2022 IndyCar title at Laguna Seca, finishing just 16 points ahead of Penske teammate Josef Newgarden in the finale.

Power, who also won in 2014 started from a record-breaking 68th pole position having eclipsed Mario Andretti's record in qualifying, knew that a top three finish would bank a second championship.

His closest challenger in the #2 Penske Newgarden started on the back row after an incident in qualifying at the corkscrew, but scythed through the field having opted to go long in the first stint.

A Callum Ilott-inspired caution gave Newgarden the break he needed and allowed him to cycle into a strong position.

However, an unexpected pitstop on Lap 61 dropped him back.

By this stage, outgoing champion Alex Palou held a comfortable 20 second lead, with the two-time champion requiring a pace advantage of one second per lap to catch and pass the Chip Ganassi driver.

Palou subsequently extended his lead to nearly 30s for his first win of the season, with Newgarden second and a relived Power in third.

The 2018 Indy 500 winner ended on 560 points, with Newgarden on 544.

Six-time champion Scott Dixon ended third in the standings, with the third Penske of Scott McLaughlin a strong fourth ahead of Palou.

Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson was sixth in the final table, with fellow former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean 13th in his first season with the Andretti Autosport squad.